Personal assistant to a NHS Professional

Do you enjoy helping people?

Are you looking for exciting and rewarding work which makes a difference?

You will be employed as a personal assistant, in a professional capacity, to a trainee CBT therapist in a fast-paced NHS department in the field of mental health support.

This role is based in the central Lancaster area, with some opportunities for home and flexible working, though attendance at an office base and university campus will be required on a regular basis.

The professional you will be supporting has a visual impairment and is a guide dog user, so being at ease and confident around dogs is essential.

Your role will be strictly to support the trainee therapist to undertake the responsibilities of the role that are of a visual nature, and therefore you will not have any case management responsibilities, nor be expected to engage in decision-making around client support or have any direct contact with clients, unless instructed in a limited capacity to do so on occasion.

The role will be suited to a dynamic and creative individual with excellent interpersonal skills, an interest in mental health, and someone who is self-motivated, highly organised and able to work to deadlines. Ideally we would welcome applications from individuals who have had some experience working in the field of mental health or the social care sector, and have a good understanding of safeguarding, and an understanding of mental health presentations. Some recent academic experience would also be desirable.

You will need to be a very effective user of IT systems (including a competent use of MS office, basic audio/video recording software). In your role, you will:

•Be expected to attend the university of Cumbria campus on a flexible basis when required and provide sighted support to assist with orientation or library access. You will also provide sighted guidance around the workplace if required and the local area

•Be able to convert lecture materials into accessible formats (from powerpoint into word for instance)

•Be able to describe and convert sometimes complex diagrams into accessible formats (written descriptions, audio formats)

•Support with creation of visual materials for the trainee therapist to use with clients (including visually appealing work sheets and diagrams)

•Support with creation of presentations and video recordings where required within an academic context

•Support with proofreading academic work for visual presentation purposes

•Support with accessing any written materials including library searches and accessing books

•Within the workplace, there will be an expectation to support the therapist to access the case recording system, extracting relevant information prior to client contact and transferring assessment and session notes following contact (upon instruction).

•A strict adherence to confidentiality/information governance policies will be required and working within deadlines.

•The trainee therapist’s work with clients may often include working with individuals in psychological distress and you may therefore be exposed to distressing material whilst undertaking your role. As such, you will be required to treat all clients you come into contact with dignity and respect and act with integrity and must demonstrate emotional resilience in these contexts.

•There will be additional miscellaneous activities within the role that you will be expected to undertake as the role evolves.

•You must have a full driving licence and car for work purposes.

•An enhanced DBS clearance is required

•Working arrangements to be discussed and requires flexibility

Pay, Hours and Benefits:

Working days between Monday to Friday. Up to 25 hours per week

Pension contributions are supported

Salary: £14.35 per hour